Hall, Foster, Woods express displeasure over Pearson's appointment

Updated 12:28 pm, Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Three high-ranking members of the Jasper Police Department addressed Jasper's city council during the public comment section of the March meeting and expressed their disapproval with last month's council decision to appoint former DPS Trooper Rodney Pearson as interim police chief for the department.

But while the three career police officers comments were strong, comments made by Jasper citizen Craig Stewart, including a packet he passed out prior to the standing-room only meeting, also pointed a finger of displeasure at the city's council.

"I have served this community for 18 years from a patrol officer to second in command as Captain and I have went far beyond what I was asked to do and I have never been more embarrassed in those 18 years and humiliated as bad at what this council did to me on Feb. 14," Hall said.

It was during the Feb. 14 council meeting that Jasper's city council met in executive session and not only accepted outgoing Jasper Police Chief Todd Hunter's resignation but approved to named Pearson as interim chief for the position.

"Every time me and my family go to town, someone comes to me as asks me "aren't you second in command? Why would they bypass you? Didn't you want the job?" Hall said. "If you could give me an answer to give them, I would appreciate it because I have no idea what your thinking was.

"If I am not the best man for the job, give it to the best man for the job," Hall said. "But I have not seen it yet."

Hall admitted that he has applied for the position and knows that speaking out against council's decision to appoint Pearson might hurt his candidacy for the full-time position.

"What chances do I have?" Hall said. "If the council doesn't trust in me or someone else in that department to run it as a temporary, what are my chances to get it permanently?"

Stewart said he personally went to each council member to ask them what was the thought process into naming Pearson to the position.

"When I initially heard of a fire chief being named a police chief, I was shocked," Stewart said. "It was widely known that (former Jasper Police Chief) Todd Hunter had recommended Gerald Hall for the interim post and was told by (Mike Lout) that Hall should attend the meeting for the appointment.

"I do not understand how city council came about their decision on this issue," Stewart said. "It appears that this decision was made prior to the council meeting on Feb. 14 including Mr. Pearson's resignation from his permanent job."

Stewart presented documentation from Metro Fire's Craig N. Russell, president and CEO. The letter states Pearson has resigned his position with the company and "with my full support, Rodney has accepted the Chief of Police job in Jasper, Texas."

Stewart said this letter forced him to seek out more information on the appointment since it appeared that Pearson was already the permanent choice for the job, even though the job is still being posted as open and applications are being accepted.

He received a variety of answers from the council members including an allegedly profane response from Jasper City Councilman Willie Land.

"I asked the council members why they didn't ask Todd Hunter who should run the department." Stewart said. "The responsibility rests on (council's) shoulders on how to make it a smooth transition for this position. The actions of this council have been anything but responsible to citizens of Jasper. The decision has been based on the good old boy system. It's not what you know, but who you know."

Judy Hall, wife of Capt. Gerald Hall, also expressed her displeasure to the council over the Pearson decision.

"When this council decided to put someone else in that position other than (Capt Hall), after he was told by several of you that he was going to be placed in that position, you not only slapped my husband in the face but you damaged the entire department," Judy Hall said.

Foster has served with the department for seven years and said he "didn't understand how you came about this decision."

"I have known Mr. Pearson for a long time but his job functions as a trooper were different from mine," Foster said. "There is no trooper that has ever worked rape or aggravated assault. Their function is wrecks and citations. My mentor, the man that is over me and the person I go to when I need to ask questions can't answer them because I have more experience than he does in this field.

"I am sorry but that is the truth," Foster said. "I have 10 years here and what do I have to look forward to here. Am I going to put in another 10 years and still be a detective? The basic information listed for the position right now, Mr. Pearson does not meet but I don't either. But you put him in as interim and gave him a salary for what Mr. Hall could have done for free.

"If you want to put (Pearson) in there for the job, fine, but follow the application process and that is the natural order of any company," Foster said.

Foster said he called Councilwoman Norsworthy for an explanation but she did not return his phone call.

"I don't understand that either because I though we were better than that," Foster said to Norsworthy. "I am confused and hurt just like everybody else down there."

Wood admitted he was "hurt" by the council's decision.

"There are a lot of people at the police department that are hurting right now," Woods said. "I really don't think you took into consideration the interim job and how serious this appointment is. There are people down there that can do the job and you all stepped on them.

"I am not taking anything away from Mr. Pearson. I have already talked to him and this is not personal but what do I have to look forward to," Woods said. "You guys have devastated me. Why would I want to stay here?"

Woods also addressed the council as a taxpayer as well.

"You appointed someone that you have to pay him a salary that is costing the city money," Woods said. "You have people in place right now that can do it already. Why would you pay a man a salary when you have someone there who can do it already? That is a waste of taxpayers' money. Our morale is low over there and it's all because of this decision."

According to city council sources, the city has received a number of applications for the chief of police position, many from the current members of the department.